Five Tindersticks soundtracks reissued. Is it worth it?
White Material (2009) – 16 tracks, 37:57
35 Rhums (2008) – 12 tracks, 25:40
L’intrust (2004) – by Stuart A. Staples -10 tracks, 22:58
Vendredi Soir (2002) – by Dickon Hinchliffe – 12 tracks, 23:40
Trouble Every Day (2001) – 14 tracks, 41:11
Nenette Et Boni (1996) – 14 tracks, 37:11
Constellation Records
The band Tindersticks has had a relationship with French film director Claire Denis like no other band has with a director. Since 1996, Tindersticks (or members of the band) have collaborated with Denis to create soundtracks to her movies. While the albums sound like soundtracks (and probably go better with the films as I have not seen any of them), the musicianship teases your brain, creating films tailor-made for you.
White Material is Denis’s biggest film to date and the soundtrack creates a sober picture with legato strings fading in and out, electric guitars pluck or strum minor and/or dissonent chords and the occasional odd instrument (such as the flute in “Children’s Theme I”) puncture the mental images and create a completely different landscape.
I listened to the albums from newest to oldest and noticed that although it was hard to get a true feel for the music without the films, they did a great job of conveying whatever feeling was supposed to be gathered. I don’t know if the actual films are remotely the same as the ones in my mind, but I’d be curious to find out. I think that’s part of what makes these reissues so interesting. It’s all instrumental and each album flows seemlessly from beginning to end creating that vivid movie in my mind. For those that have not heard Tindersticks or these soundtracks, I suggest listening to them in a quiet dimly lit room. Close your eyes and let the band take you away. It is well worth the time.
